Treksylvanian Wars of Conquest
The Treksylvanian Wars of Conquest, or the Trek Campaigns, were a series of minor wars which brought vast areas of the southeastern United States under a unified government. The wars encompass the five-year period in the post-World War III years. Thousands of people were killed, but mostly militia and regular military as the new regime showed itself extremely gracious to civilians
The pre-Treksylvania Period
The months post-World War III were a chaotic, cruel, dark time. The North American Union (NAU) had collapsed due to the economic fallout from the Great Nuclear Holocaust. As Canada and Mexico struggled with population loss due to immigration, disease, and famine directly related to the few nuclear blasts which occurred in Canada, US President-and former NAU president-Lionel Billingsley was facing a major nuclear, medical, economic, and political disaster. Discontent with his presidency had reached high levels as a result of the destruction of cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Houston during the Third World War. Furthermore, biological agents such as smallpox, ebola, bubonic plague, and Hantavirus had been released, causing further death. Various regional committees began exploring the notion of seceding from the United States and forming their own independent states. In most cases, pledges and promises were made in order to keep the secessionists satisfied enough to prevent the breakup of the United States. However, as the economic situation deteriorated further, such pledges and promises could not be kept.
Three regional state associations declared independence from the United States in 2015. The Republic of the Pacific, which was centered on Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and briefly including westernmost Montana, Alaska, Hawaii and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The peoples of the new republic were prepared to defend their newly won independence, but the US government faced a threat closer to them. In the Deep South, calls for separation were so strong, that many Southern states were faced with rioting if they did not allow it. Thus, in Montgomery, Alabama, the signing of the Articles of Confederation laid the grounds for the proclamation of the Confederation of Dixie. Hal Smith was named first president. States not a part of the Confederate States of America (1860-1865), such as Oklahoma, Kentucky, and West Virginia, joined the Confederation. This placed Washington DC right in the crosshairs. Further disintegration seemed imminent as the Dakotas and Minnesota threatened to leave the union. President Billingsley was unable to prevent it as he was facing a challenge for the White House from Democrat Alan Hicks. In 2016, Hicks defeated Billingsley in the presidential election, campaigning on a promise to restore the United States to its pre-WWIII strength. His first act on assuming the presidency was a treaty with representatives from the Dakotas and Minnesota which kept them in the union. Thus the United States, in a truncated form, was kept together. By then, however, California and Nevada had declared a union, the Tahoe Republic, which then defeated three attempts by the US military to crush.
Three regional state associations declared independence from the United States in 2015. The Republic of the Pacific, which was centered on Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and briefly including westernmost Montana, Alaska, Hawaii and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The peoples of the new republic were prepared to defend their newly won independence, but the US government faced a threat closer to them. In the Deep South, calls for separation were so strong, that many Southern states were faced with rioting if they did not allow it. Thus, in Montgomery, Alabama, the signing of the Articles of Confederation laid the grounds for the proclamation of the Confederation of Dixie. Hal Smith was named first president. States not a part of the Confederate States of America (1860-1865), such as Oklahoma, Kentucky, and West Virginia, joined the Confederation. This placed Washington DC right in the crosshairs. Further disintegration seemed imminent as the Dakotas and Minnesota threatened to leave the union. President Billingsley was unable to prevent it as he was facing a challenge for the White House from Democrat Alan Hicks. In 2016, Hicks defeated Billingsley in the presidential election, campaigning on a promise to restore the United States to its pre-WWIII strength. His first act on assuming the presidency was a treaty with representatives from the Dakotas and Minnesota which kept them in the union. Thus the United States, in a truncated form, was kept together. By then, however, California and Nevada had declared a union, the Tahoe Republic, which then defeated three attempts by the US military to crush.
The Confederation of Dixie
The Confederation of Dixie's Articles of Confederation were written as a means of satisfying the Afromericans, who feared a return to the racial system in force in the old Confederacy. Their rights were guaranteed and a few more privileges were bestowed on them, such as offices in the new government. A military force was built up, including a navy. For a time, religious practices were guaranteed. The economy began to recover at a rapid rate, faster even than Rump USA. The Dixie Confederation was experiencing a Golden Age, which only the Tahoe Republic could rival.
However, signs began to appear, of oppression, secularization, and outright violence. The Dixie president, Hal Smith, was an atheist. He failed to enforce the dispensation guaranteeing churches, mosques and synagogues freedom from taxation. In fact, he increased the amount of tax due from religious institutions. Discontent among rabbis, priests, and imams grew to such an extent that President Smith issued calls for their arrest. Soon, a policy of enforced atheism was enacted by presidential edict. Many Jewish citizens refused to heed the new edicts and emigrated west. Those who were unable to leave were rounded up, imprisoned, even killed. This brutal policy extended to Catholics as Latinomericans were harrassed, murdered, and forced to flee.
President Smith tried to turn the restless energies of the populace toward military adventures. Attempts were made to round up Native Americans living in the Appalachians, the conquest of the Bahamas Islands, and an invasion of Pennsylvania. The Battle of Bedford turned into the biggest disaster since Gettysburg, when a force of 325,000 troops met an American army of 750,000 troops in a 12-hour slaughterfest. With that one battle, war had been declared on Rump USA. Rump USA responded to the Pennsylvania Invasion with an invasion of their own, an invasion of Kentucky. While there were numerous skirmishes and minor clashes, two battles decided the fate of Kentucky.
The Battle of Lexington had 430,000 Confederation troops facing 875,000 US troops. A fatal blunder was made in the course of the battle which assured US victory, when an armoured assault failed to push the opposing side off a large hill which had given them an advantage. 315,000 Dixie troops were killed, while 211,000 US troops were killed. Two weeks later, at the Battle of Paducah, 15,000 Dixie troops were slaughtered or captured by 80,000 US troops in a 4-hour battle. With this final victory, Rump USA occupied Kentucky and placed themselves in a position to press their advantage. However, President Hicks decided to bide his time and switched operations toward the Tahoe front.
A year later, after the signing of the Treaty of San Bernadino which forced Rump USA to relinquish all claims on the Tahoe Republic, they switched back to the closer (and more dangerous) threat, the Dixie Confederation. Forces were massed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kentucky. Dixie could only muster a force half the strength of the US military force, due to continued depletion of population from immigration, or murder. Inside the Confederation, voices of rebellion began to raise in volume as President Smith continued his repressive regime. Many were calling for an invasion and overthrow of the Smith regime, even if it meant losing the Confederation. When the invasion did happen, however, many began to assert their own separate polity, independent of either the Confederation or Rump USA.
US forces made their invasion first into Tennessee, destroying the Dixie forces that tried to drive them back. Nashville fell under US occupation on 7th June 2016. Knoxville was captured on 10th June. Reconnaissance operations carried the US forces into Alabama and Georgia. The main force was right on their heels. Several more battles occurred, most notably the Battle of Ringgold, where 25,000 Dixie troops met 45,000 US troops and managed to drive them back toward Chattanooga, before the US troops were reinforced with 55,000 reserve units and swept the Dixie troops from northwest Georgia. Another important battle was the Battle of Anniston, where a larger force of 76,000 Dixie troops defeated a force of 35,000 US troops. Unknown to the Dixie commanders, however, was the fact that another force of US troops had descended into north Alabama, seized Birmingham, and now threatened Montgomery from the north.
Meanwhile, the Dixie Navy was unable to prevent landings of US troops near Mobile, New Orleans, and St Augustine. With the Dixie forces becoming depleted, the way was clear for the US forces to advance up the Mississippi River. One naval clash took place off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, where a flotilla of 125 Dixie ships engaged a US flotilla of 135 ships. Despite minor victories, including the Dixie flagship CNS Richmond being forced aground by five US PT-boats, neither side achieved a total knockout victory. President Smith then made a fatal blunder by signing off on a plan which would not only circumvent the deadlock, but also win for the Confederation a new state, the invasion of Cuba. On 24th June, a force of 175,000 Dixie tanks, marines, and paratroopers landed in Guantanamo Bay, seized the US base located there, and began a drive toward Havana. The Cubans responded with guerilla warfare which bogged down the Dixie forces' advance. The US navy took advantage of this by engaging the supporting Dixie navy-which included ships which survived the Hatteras battle-in a 7-hour battle which destroyed all but 34 ships on the Dixie side. The US navy lost only 18 ships. On land, the Cubans mustered a large enough force to finally destroy the Dixie invasion force, leaving 785 to be POWs.
With the navy destroyed, and no airforce in existence, the Dixie Confederation relied on its army to hold the line against the US forces which were relentlessly advancing deeper into Confederation territory. Jackson, Mississippi came under seige from US forces on 30th June. The seige lasted for 3 days before the city finally surrendered. 14 days later, on 14th July, Montgomery was finally beseiged by the US force from Birmingham and the US force from Mobile. President Smith had fled 4 days before the siege began, escaping to Macon, Georgia, where he defiantly called for a relief force to save the "craddle of Dixie" from the invader. A Dixie force of 890,000 troops assembled near Auburn and marched to try and relieve Montgomery. At the Battle of the Perimeter (so named as the battle took place at the perimeter highway of Montgomery), the Dixie troops inflicted minor defeats on the beseiging US force, but the battle itself stretched on for days. Finally, on 31st July, the Dixie relief force was destroyed by an advance of US troops from Troy. On 2nd August, Montgomery capitulated. Demoralization set in, quickly becoming outrage at the 'cowardice' of President Smith. Rump USA, however, was unable to press its newfound advantage, as their economy which had been built for a post-war recovery, was now under intense strain. Both nations were losing the income needed to sustain themselves. Recession, military defeat, and racial tension all combined into a series of rebellions throughout the Confederation. President Smith, in an effort to concentrate power solely on himself, dissolved the Senate, abolished the Supreme Court, and declared martial law. When the Militia Guard failed to carry out the martial-law order, he knew the Confederation was doomed. President Hal Smith committed suicide on 3rd September, and the mechanisms of the Confederation were slowly allowed to whittle away. The Confederation had come to an end. 6 days afterwards, its opponent, Rump USA, also collapsed. With no central authority left, the various polities became more independent. One of these was destined to rule not only a moderately sized part of the world, but even conquer deep space.
However, signs began to appear, of oppression, secularization, and outright violence. The Dixie president, Hal Smith, was an atheist. He failed to enforce the dispensation guaranteeing churches, mosques and synagogues freedom from taxation. In fact, he increased the amount of tax due from religious institutions. Discontent among rabbis, priests, and imams grew to such an extent that President Smith issued calls for their arrest. Soon, a policy of enforced atheism was enacted by presidential edict. Many Jewish citizens refused to heed the new edicts and emigrated west. Those who were unable to leave were rounded up, imprisoned, even killed. This brutal policy extended to Catholics as Latinomericans were harrassed, murdered, and forced to flee.
President Smith tried to turn the restless energies of the populace toward military adventures. Attempts were made to round up Native Americans living in the Appalachians, the conquest of the Bahamas Islands, and an invasion of Pennsylvania. The Battle of Bedford turned into the biggest disaster since Gettysburg, when a force of 325,000 troops met an American army of 750,000 troops in a 12-hour slaughterfest. With that one battle, war had been declared on Rump USA. Rump USA responded to the Pennsylvania Invasion with an invasion of their own, an invasion of Kentucky. While there were numerous skirmishes and minor clashes, two battles decided the fate of Kentucky.
The Battle of Lexington had 430,000 Confederation troops facing 875,000 US troops. A fatal blunder was made in the course of the battle which assured US victory, when an armoured assault failed to push the opposing side off a large hill which had given them an advantage. 315,000 Dixie troops were killed, while 211,000 US troops were killed. Two weeks later, at the Battle of Paducah, 15,000 Dixie troops were slaughtered or captured by 80,000 US troops in a 4-hour battle. With this final victory, Rump USA occupied Kentucky and placed themselves in a position to press their advantage. However, President Hicks decided to bide his time and switched operations toward the Tahoe front.
A year later, after the signing of the Treaty of San Bernadino which forced Rump USA to relinquish all claims on the Tahoe Republic, they switched back to the closer (and more dangerous) threat, the Dixie Confederation. Forces were massed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kentucky. Dixie could only muster a force half the strength of the US military force, due to continued depletion of population from immigration, or murder. Inside the Confederation, voices of rebellion began to raise in volume as President Smith continued his repressive regime. Many were calling for an invasion and overthrow of the Smith regime, even if it meant losing the Confederation. When the invasion did happen, however, many began to assert their own separate polity, independent of either the Confederation or Rump USA.
US forces made their invasion first into Tennessee, destroying the Dixie forces that tried to drive them back. Nashville fell under US occupation on 7th June 2016. Knoxville was captured on 10th June. Reconnaissance operations carried the US forces into Alabama and Georgia. The main force was right on their heels. Several more battles occurred, most notably the Battle of Ringgold, where 25,000 Dixie troops met 45,000 US troops and managed to drive them back toward Chattanooga, before the US troops were reinforced with 55,000 reserve units and swept the Dixie troops from northwest Georgia. Another important battle was the Battle of Anniston, where a larger force of 76,000 Dixie troops defeated a force of 35,000 US troops. Unknown to the Dixie commanders, however, was the fact that another force of US troops had descended into north Alabama, seized Birmingham, and now threatened Montgomery from the north.
Meanwhile, the Dixie Navy was unable to prevent landings of US troops near Mobile, New Orleans, and St Augustine. With the Dixie forces becoming depleted, the way was clear for the US forces to advance up the Mississippi River. One naval clash took place off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, where a flotilla of 125 Dixie ships engaged a US flotilla of 135 ships. Despite minor victories, including the Dixie flagship CNS Richmond being forced aground by five US PT-boats, neither side achieved a total knockout victory. President Smith then made a fatal blunder by signing off on a plan which would not only circumvent the deadlock, but also win for the Confederation a new state, the invasion of Cuba. On 24th June, a force of 175,000 Dixie tanks, marines, and paratroopers landed in Guantanamo Bay, seized the US base located there, and began a drive toward Havana. The Cubans responded with guerilla warfare which bogged down the Dixie forces' advance. The US navy took advantage of this by engaging the supporting Dixie navy-which included ships which survived the Hatteras battle-in a 7-hour battle which destroyed all but 34 ships on the Dixie side. The US navy lost only 18 ships. On land, the Cubans mustered a large enough force to finally destroy the Dixie invasion force, leaving 785 to be POWs.
With the navy destroyed, and no airforce in existence, the Dixie Confederation relied on its army to hold the line against the US forces which were relentlessly advancing deeper into Confederation territory. Jackson, Mississippi came under seige from US forces on 30th June. The seige lasted for 3 days before the city finally surrendered. 14 days later, on 14th July, Montgomery was finally beseiged by the US force from Birmingham and the US force from Mobile. President Smith had fled 4 days before the siege began, escaping to Macon, Georgia, where he defiantly called for a relief force to save the "craddle of Dixie" from the invader. A Dixie force of 890,000 troops assembled near Auburn and marched to try and relieve Montgomery. At the Battle of the Perimeter (so named as the battle took place at the perimeter highway of Montgomery), the Dixie troops inflicted minor defeats on the beseiging US force, but the battle itself stretched on for days. Finally, on 31st July, the Dixie relief force was destroyed by an advance of US troops from Troy. On 2nd August, Montgomery capitulated. Demoralization set in, quickly becoming outrage at the 'cowardice' of President Smith. Rump USA, however, was unable to press its newfound advantage, as their economy which had been built for a post-war recovery, was now under intense strain. Both nations were losing the income needed to sustain themselves. Recession, military defeat, and racial tension all combined into a series of rebellions throughout the Confederation. President Smith, in an effort to concentrate power solely on himself, dissolved the Senate, abolished the Supreme Court, and declared martial law. When the Militia Guard failed to carry out the martial-law order, he knew the Confederation was doomed. President Hal Smith committed suicide on 3rd September, and the mechanisms of the Confederation were slowly allowed to whittle away. The Confederation had come to an end. 6 days afterwards, its opponent, Rump USA, also collapsed. With no central authority left, the various polities became more independent. One of these was destined to rule not only a moderately sized part of the world, but even conquer deep space.
The Panther Republic
In the days and weeks following the collapse of the Confederation of Dixie, central authority was destabilized to the point where counties were acting independent. In many cases, counties would merge with their neighbors, forming powerful local city-republics. In other areas, counties went to war over resources such as farmland, and water.
In the small town of Smiths, situated between Georgia and the old Dixie capital of Montgomery, the water situation created a major crisis. The mayor of the city was facing criticism from the residents, who felt she was more interested in pocketing money earned through secret and sometimes dubious methods, than bettering the lives of the people. Mayor Dellinger had been mayor for several years, and was not concerned with the growing criticism of her office. But while all residents were united in their desire to see her removed from office, they were divided as to who would replace her. Families often turned on one another, vying for the right to challenge Dellinger for the mayor's office. The county was already fractured, and was now in danger of being absorbed by its southern neighbor. Dellinger managed to keep the families divided and retain her power, but a new player had entered the game.
18-year-old Michael Harvey had just passed the Age of Ascension, and had led the efforts to bring the city much needed reform. His was a name many trusted, and there were soon calls to have him named mayor. Gradually the people united behind him and called for a new vote to determine who would be the mayor of the city. On 29th January 2017, the election was held, with Michael earning 94% of the votes to Dellinger's 35%. While there was a clear majority who called on Michael to become the new mayor, Dellinger was unwilling to relinquish her office without a fight. On 17th February, she raised a force composed of militia, former Dixie officers, and former Rump USA troops that had been stranded when their government and nation collapsed. Her total force was 455,000. Michael was able to only muster a vastly smaller force of 110,000 troops. For several days, both sides simply jockeyed for position and prestige with the neutral families who were seeking to simply survive. Not until 25th February did Dellinger begin what would be known as the Battle for Smiths.
Dellinger sent her troops to hunt down Michael and his group, who had fled to an area which would be the future site of the Imperial capital. She chased him down, forcing him to flee again to Monterey Heights, an unincorporated community just outside Smiths. The first actual engagement of the Battle for Smiths took place here, with Michael's forces suffering a loss, and forcing him and the survivors to flee to Ladonia. Dellinger was unable to follow, as it encroached on the jurisdiction of Russell County, to which Ladonia belonged. Thus reprieved, Michael spent the next month and a half consolidating the scant resources, and occasionally launching hit-and-run strikes. It was in Ladonia where several families who would soon form the nucleus of Imperial government, among them the Cox family, provided funds, supplies, and most badly needed, recruits. By mid-April, Michael's force had tripled in size to nearly 500,000, and there was constant recruitment from Dellinger's ranks too as many dissatisfied soldiers joined Michael's ranks. Using the new recruits from the mayoral force, Michael created what would soon be a powerful Imperial security force, the Panther Guard, so named for the school from which Michael and nearly all the troops under his command had attended. On 20th April, Michael struck unexpectedly, driving deep into Monterey Heights, and defeating efforts by Dellinger to delay his advance long enough to muster an army to defend her position. At the Second Battle of Monterey Heights, Michael's force of 780,000 defeated and destroyed Dellinger's force of 275,000. The victorious army marched on City Hall, and arrested Dellinger. Michael was finally able to assume the mayor's office, where he proclaimed the formation of the Panther Republic.
In the small town of Smiths, situated between Georgia and the old Dixie capital of Montgomery, the water situation created a major crisis. The mayor of the city was facing criticism from the residents, who felt she was more interested in pocketing money earned through secret and sometimes dubious methods, than bettering the lives of the people. Mayor Dellinger had been mayor for several years, and was not concerned with the growing criticism of her office. But while all residents were united in their desire to see her removed from office, they were divided as to who would replace her. Families often turned on one another, vying for the right to challenge Dellinger for the mayor's office. The county was already fractured, and was now in danger of being absorbed by its southern neighbor. Dellinger managed to keep the families divided and retain her power, but a new player had entered the game.
18-year-old Michael Harvey had just passed the Age of Ascension, and had led the efforts to bring the city much needed reform. His was a name many trusted, and there were soon calls to have him named mayor. Gradually the people united behind him and called for a new vote to determine who would be the mayor of the city. On 29th January 2017, the election was held, with Michael earning 94% of the votes to Dellinger's 35%. While there was a clear majority who called on Michael to become the new mayor, Dellinger was unwilling to relinquish her office without a fight. On 17th February, she raised a force composed of militia, former Dixie officers, and former Rump USA troops that had been stranded when their government and nation collapsed. Her total force was 455,000. Michael was able to only muster a vastly smaller force of 110,000 troops. For several days, both sides simply jockeyed for position and prestige with the neutral families who were seeking to simply survive. Not until 25th February did Dellinger begin what would be known as the Battle for Smiths.
Dellinger sent her troops to hunt down Michael and his group, who had fled to an area which would be the future site of the Imperial capital. She chased him down, forcing him to flee again to Monterey Heights, an unincorporated community just outside Smiths. The first actual engagement of the Battle for Smiths took place here, with Michael's forces suffering a loss, and forcing him and the survivors to flee to Ladonia. Dellinger was unable to follow, as it encroached on the jurisdiction of Russell County, to which Ladonia belonged. Thus reprieved, Michael spent the next month and a half consolidating the scant resources, and occasionally launching hit-and-run strikes. It was in Ladonia where several families who would soon form the nucleus of Imperial government, among them the Cox family, provided funds, supplies, and most badly needed, recruits. By mid-April, Michael's force had tripled in size to nearly 500,000, and there was constant recruitment from Dellinger's ranks too as many dissatisfied soldiers joined Michael's ranks. Using the new recruits from the mayoral force, Michael created what would soon be a powerful Imperial security force, the Panther Guard, so named for the school from which Michael and nearly all the troops under his command had attended. On 20th April, Michael struck unexpectedly, driving deep into Monterey Heights, and defeating efforts by Dellinger to delay his advance long enough to muster an army to defend her position. At the Second Battle of Monterey Heights, Michael's force of 780,000 defeated and destroyed Dellinger's force of 275,000. The victorious army marched on City Hall, and arrested Dellinger. Michael was finally able to assume the mayor's office, where he proclaimed the formation of the Panther Republic.
The Panther Republic was legalized by a plebiscite conducted by the citizens themselves. This gave the new republic the legal and popular foundations from which it would build upon. The first order of business in the new republic was purging the city council of Dellingerian influence by bribery or exile. It was Michael's intention to avoid imprisonment or execution, to show that he was a temporizing, fair, and forgiving new mayor. Only 15 people were exiled as a result of this new policy, which enabled Michael to concentrate on three new objectives, consolidating the city-republic, fighting off the ambitions of its neighbors, and expanding the new state. Consolidation was simply a matter of adding the surrounding communities of Monterey Heights, Motts, and Bleecker. Community leaders from the three areas agreed to merge with the republic in a treaty nicknamed "The Merger Agreement". The military force of the republic now increased threefold with the merger, which prepared the republic for its first challenge, from Opelika.
Opelika and Auburn had merged into a single metropolis which now looked further afield for expansion. Greater Opelika gained a reputation as an unrelenting opponent thanks to the creation of the 'Tiger Battalion', a group of well-trained soldiers from Auburn which was initially a police force. Greater Opelika had seized Chewacla, Notusulga, and Beaulah, and now cast its eyes on Salem, which would bring it into contact with the Panther Republic, also looking to expand into Salem. Three days of strenuous talks proved to be ineffective, which led to the Panther Guard being dispatched to Salem. They encountered a scout force of Opelika troops in a murderous encounter which started the Salem War. The war itself was a 5-week war with only one major engagement, the Battle of Pepperell, which saw a Panther force of 2,950,000 destroy a force of 975,000 in an encounter which lasted 9 hours and brought the Republic forces to the very doorstep of Auburn's City Hall. The Peace of Chewacla brought an end to Greater Opelika, as that city, Auburn, and the areas they had subjugated were annexed directly into the Panther Republic. There would now be a period of peace which would last for almost a month before a new challenge appeared.
Phenix City had seized control of the county in which it was the seat. They had already seized Ladonia, Fort Mitchell and Seale and were eager to counter the perceived threat from the north. Phenix City had land in the southeast of Lee County and used that to lay the ground for an invasion which they hoped would bring the Panther Republic as a prize. Michael attempted negotiation with the city commission, only to be rebuffed by Phenix City's mayor. Thus, Michael forged an alliance with the next-door city of Columbus. It was hoped that a diplomatic manuevering would be enough to offset the threat posed, but Phenix City's mayor, Noel Patterson, countered diplomacy with hit-and-run attacks on both cities. Outraged by this 'breach of good trust', Michael launched an invasion of that part of Phenix City which directly bordered the Republic, taking it within 24 hours, and making possible the planned invasion. Phenix City was unable to gather more than 475,000 troops at any time, due to revolts in Ladonia and Fort Mitchell which tied down the bulk of the militia. This made every encounter oftentimes a one-sided battle with the Republic forces winning. It wasn't until 17th June that Phenix militia forces finally put down the Fort Mitchell revolt before moving north to attempt to repel the Panther forces. In the Battle of the River, a 18-hour assault on Panther lines saw a force of 775,000 Phenix militia inflict casualties on a Panther force of 1,220,000 before tanks-confiscated from the old Dixie armoury-were brought in, which turned the tide of the battle. By 19th June, Phenix City capitulated. Michael decided to show leniency with the citizens as separate from the commision, whom he had arrested. It was hoped that quiet would soon return to the area, but on 26th June, Phenix militia and ex-National Guard units staged a major uprising which threatened to ignite a revolution. Once more, Panther troops were called in to suppress the uprising, and suppress they did, killing 855 ex-Guard and imprisoning the rest. As an act of revenge, Michael had the civilians evacuated from the city, then the city itself was razed to the ground. The resulting Peace of Dillingham stripped Phenix City of Ladonia and Fort Mitchell and confined the civilians to a small area, roughly akin to a reservation.
Opelika and Auburn had merged into a single metropolis which now looked further afield for expansion. Greater Opelika gained a reputation as an unrelenting opponent thanks to the creation of the 'Tiger Battalion', a group of well-trained soldiers from Auburn which was initially a police force. Greater Opelika had seized Chewacla, Notusulga, and Beaulah, and now cast its eyes on Salem, which would bring it into contact with the Panther Republic, also looking to expand into Salem. Three days of strenuous talks proved to be ineffective, which led to the Panther Guard being dispatched to Salem. They encountered a scout force of Opelika troops in a murderous encounter which started the Salem War. The war itself was a 5-week war with only one major engagement, the Battle of Pepperell, which saw a Panther force of 2,950,000 destroy a force of 975,000 in an encounter which lasted 9 hours and brought the Republic forces to the very doorstep of Auburn's City Hall. The Peace of Chewacla brought an end to Greater Opelika, as that city, Auburn, and the areas they had subjugated were annexed directly into the Panther Republic. There would now be a period of peace which would last for almost a month before a new challenge appeared.
Phenix City had seized control of the county in which it was the seat. They had already seized Ladonia, Fort Mitchell and Seale and were eager to counter the perceived threat from the north. Phenix City had land in the southeast of Lee County and used that to lay the ground for an invasion which they hoped would bring the Panther Republic as a prize. Michael attempted negotiation with the city commission, only to be rebuffed by Phenix City's mayor. Thus, Michael forged an alliance with the next-door city of Columbus. It was hoped that a diplomatic manuevering would be enough to offset the threat posed, but Phenix City's mayor, Noel Patterson, countered diplomacy with hit-and-run attacks on both cities. Outraged by this 'breach of good trust', Michael launched an invasion of that part of Phenix City which directly bordered the Republic, taking it within 24 hours, and making possible the planned invasion. Phenix City was unable to gather more than 475,000 troops at any time, due to revolts in Ladonia and Fort Mitchell which tied down the bulk of the militia. This made every encounter oftentimes a one-sided battle with the Republic forces winning. It wasn't until 17th June that Phenix militia forces finally put down the Fort Mitchell revolt before moving north to attempt to repel the Panther forces. In the Battle of the River, a 18-hour assault on Panther lines saw a force of 775,000 Phenix militia inflict casualties on a Panther force of 1,220,000 before tanks-confiscated from the old Dixie armoury-were brought in, which turned the tide of the battle. By 19th June, Phenix City capitulated. Michael decided to show leniency with the citizens as separate from the commision, whom he had arrested. It was hoped that quiet would soon return to the area, but on 26th June, Phenix militia and ex-National Guard units staged a major uprising which threatened to ignite a revolution. Once more, Panther troops were called in to suppress the uprising, and suppress they did, killing 855 ex-Guard and imprisoning the rest. As an act of revenge, Michael had the civilians evacuated from the city, then the city itself was razed to the ground. The resulting Peace of Dillingham stripped Phenix City of Ladonia and Fort Mitchell and confined the civilians to a small area, roughly akin to a reservation.
"On to Montgomery!"
By 4th October, many people had migrated to the Panther Republic as a result of the economic boon, cultural diversity, and racial equality instilled by Michael. There were calls from outside areas seeking union with the Panther Republic and to be governed directly by Michael and his family. Time had shown that while the Panther Republic had prospered and even experienced its Golden Age, other parts of Alabama were in the throes of civil war as the county conglomerates fought one another incessantly. The population within the Republic was growing beyond the means to sustain it. With pressure building, resources dwindling, and the population increasing, Michael decided to take the bold step of bringing Alabama under centralized rule.
Seven armies were created, for the purpose of bringing Alabama under one central authority. At the same time, Columbus was admitted into the Republic as a gateway city, which brought much-needed goods in through river trade. Using the newly acquired goods, the seven armies were sent to bring the rest of Alabama under control. Great care was taken not to harm civilians, and though there were no major engagements, several skirmishes with ex-National Guard, ex-Dixie, and ex-US troops took place, most notably the Skirmish at Troy, the Battle of Wetumpka (more of a minor engagement turned rout), and the Capture of Fort Payne. Many towns chose to surrender and welcome the Panther troops as heroes, bringing an end to the almost-interminable warfare among the city-republics. By December, all of southern Alabama, and most of northeast Alabama had been brought under control. Three major cities remained to be taken: Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery.
Montgomery, being the closest to the Republic borders, was the first objective of what was now the Republic Army. Two divisions of infantry, and tanks were sent from Tuskegee to invest and beseige Montgomery. During the journey, a new battlecry was created, "On to Montgomery!". For many of the residents, it was a repeat of the earlier siege which brought an end to the Dixie Confederation. As a result, Alabama Militia and ex-Dixie mercenaries joined forces to attempt to drive out the Republic armies. 12 days of manuever and countermanuever resulted in the loss of 421,000 Republic troops and 715,000 Militia forces (with 29,000 POWs) but won for the Republic control of Montgomery. The Ist Republic Army would hold Montgomery while the 2nd Army, 3rd Army and 2nd Armoured would advance to link up with 4th Army and 2nd Artillery outside Birmingham. Alabama Militia units received help from ex-Dixie artillery units as they prepared to defend the city. Michael himself led the campaign to take Birmingham, and showed tactical thinking when he devised the battleplan calling for the use of the 29,000 POWs as first-wave units. He hoped to demoralize the enemy without losing the POWs, and thus gain an advantage. The plan worked brilliantly. The POW first-wave force so demoralized the Artillery unit gunners that they pulled out, abandoning their allies and retreating north. Michael used another tactical strategy for taking the city. He offered pardons for those among the 29,000 who volunteered to take and hold the city, assuring them of armoured support. All the POWs but one accepted the offer. The one dissenting POW was sent to Tuskegee, while a Republic soldier took his place. In a 4 hour battle in which armour units did indeed provide them with cover and added firepower, the ex-POWs, organized as the Republic Expeditionary Force or REF fought savagely against the Alabama Militia units remaining in the city. By mid-afternoon, Birmingham had been captured and Militia forces either driven out, or captured. 432 Militia units were lost, while the Republic lost only 97. 230 Militia POWs were sent to Tuskegee detention facilities. The REF was left to hold Birmingham while the rest of the Republic armies moved to take the last objective, Huntsville.
By the time Michael arrived at the head of 1st Army, a battle was already underway, but the combatants were city residents who sought union with the Republic. An uprising had begun while the Republic was still fighting in Birmingham! Michael commanded 2nd and 3rd Army units to assist the citizens against the remnants of the Alabama Militia. Fighting raged from block to block, street to street. After 9 hours, Huntsville's citizens liberated the city, and placed it under Republic protection. While there were still pockets of Militia resistance in the west of Alabama, the War For Alabama had been won. As four armies set out to quell the resistance in the western regions, Michael and three armies returned to Montgomery.
On 15th January 2018, A Charter was drafted and signed by Michael and dignitaries from the ex-counties. On the 16th, a Proclamation was issued, announcing the birth of the Republic of Alabama. On the same day, the last vestiges of both the Alabama Militia and the ex-Dixie forces were suppressed, with many now joining the new Republic, while others chose exile. However, 67 continued to remain defiant and were sent to Prattville. Three days after arriving there, all 67 committed suicide.
Seven armies were created, for the purpose of bringing Alabama under one central authority. At the same time, Columbus was admitted into the Republic as a gateway city, which brought much-needed goods in through river trade. Using the newly acquired goods, the seven armies were sent to bring the rest of Alabama under control. Great care was taken not to harm civilians, and though there were no major engagements, several skirmishes with ex-National Guard, ex-Dixie, and ex-US troops took place, most notably the Skirmish at Troy, the Battle of Wetumpka (more of a minor engagement turned rout), and the Capture of Fort Payne. Many towns chose to surrender and welcome the Panther troops as heroes, bringing an end to the almost-interminable warfare among the city-republics. By December, all of southern Alabama, and most of northeast Alabama had been brought under control. Three major cities remained to be taken: Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery.
Montgomery, being the closest to the Republic borders, was the first objective of what was now the Republic Army. Two divisions of infantry, and tanks were sent from Tuskegee to invest and beseige Montgomery. During the journey, a new battlecry was created, "On to Montgomery!". For many of the residents, it was a repeat of the earlier siege which brought an end to the Dixie Confederation. As a result, Alabama Militia and ex-Dixie mercenaries joined forces to attempt to drive out the Republic armies. 12 days of manuever and countermanuever resulted in the loss of 421,000 Republic troops and 715,000 Militia forces (with 29,000 POWs) but won for the Republic control of Montgomery. The Ist Republic Army would hold Montgomery while the 2nd Army, 3rd Army and 2nd Armoured would advance to link up with 4th Army and 2nd Artillery outside Birmingham. Alabama Militia units received help from ex-Dixie artillery units as they prepared to defend the city. Michael himself led the campaign to take Birmingham, and showed tactical thinking when he devised the battleplan calling for the use of the 29,000 POWs as first-wave units. He hoped to demoralize the enemy without losing the POWs, and thus gain an advantage. The plan worked brilliantly. The POW first-wave force so demoralized the Artillery unit gunners that they pulled out, abandoning their allies and retreating north. Michael used another tactical strategy for taking the city. He offered pardons for those among the 29,000 who volunteered to take and hold the city, assuring them of armoured support. All the POWs but one accepted the offer. The one dissenting POW was sent to Tuskegee, while a Republic soldier took his place. In a 4 hour battle in which armour units did indeed provide them with cover and added firepower, the ex-POWs, organized as the Republic Expeditionary Force or REF fought savagely against the Alabama Militia units remaining in the city. By mid-afternoon, Birmingham had been captured and Militia forces either driven out, or captured. 432 Militia units were lost, while the Republic lost only 97. 230 Militia POWs were sent to Tuskegee detention facilities. The REF was left to hold Birmingham while the rest of the Republic armies moved to take the last objective, Huntsville.
By the time Michael arrived at the head of 1st Army, a battle was already underway, but the combatants were city residents who sought union with the Republic. An uprising had begun while the Republic was still fighting in Birmingham! Michael commanded 2nd and 3rd Army units to assist the citizens against the remnants of the Alabama Militia. Fighting raged from block to block, street to street. After 9 hours, Huntsville's citizens liberated the city, and placed it under Republic protection. While there were still pockets of Militia resistance in the west of Alabama, the War For Alabama had been won. As four armies set out to quell the resistance in the western regions, Michael and three armies returned to Montgomery.
On 15th January 2018, A Charter was drafted and signed by Michael and dignitaries from the ex-counties. On the 16th, a Proclamation was issued, announcing the birth of the Republic of Alabama. On the same day, the last vestiges of both the Alabama Militia and the ex-Dixie forces were suppressed, with many now joining the new Republic, while others chose exile. However, 67 continued to remain defiant and were sent to Prattville. Three days after arriving there, all 67 committed suicide.
Treksylvania, From Republic to Kingdom
The next two months were spent reorganizing the ex-counties into captaincies under the rule of captain-governors. For the most part, Alabama remained under the rule of the Harvey dynasty. But with the unification of Alabama, Michael's appetite for conquest had grown. A pretext was now needed to send the Republic armies into new areas. That pretext was the recurring Chattahoochee River War.
The city of Atlanta had been using water drawn from nearby Lake Lanier for many years, under the supervision of the US Corps of Engineers. With the collapse of the United States following World War III, the Corps was disbanded, leaving Atlanta free to blockade the river. Many cities along the river protested, and Columbus petitioned the Republic for assistance in mediating the matter. Atlanta showed a willingness to discuss the Water Crisis, but then failed to show up for the meeting. Columbus and many other cities formed an Armed League to resist Atlanta's water-hoarding but soon faced a new problem when Florida protested after water levels began dropping. Michael now had the pretext he needed. He signed the West Point Protocol with the river cities of the Chattahoochee League, pledging military assistance. At the same time, he sent a strong warning to Florida urging them to refrain from involvement. Florida rejected the warning and began forming a militia force to march to the point where the Chattahoochee-Appalachicola-Flint waterways converged. Michael viewed this as an act of aggression and called for Republic forces to begin to sweep into the 'panhandle' area. Meanwhile, the League launched an offensive into central Georgia with the aim of securing the Upper Flint waterway. They met with partial success, being forced to engage Atlanta militia units which had also been sent to secure the waterway.
Three Republic armies swept into the Florida panhandle, taking Pensacola, Fort Walton, Panama City and Appalachicola. by the end of the week. Michael announced that the measure was undertaken to counter Florida's aggressive run across the border. Florida objected to the occupation of their western counties by the Republic, and seven militia forces were sent against them. The Battle of East Point (small community between Appalachicola and Carrabelle) became the bloodiest battle in the Trek Wars of Unification. 2,750,000 Republic forces met 1,955,000 Militia forces in a two-day slaughter which was the background to a tragic incident at the Long Bridge in which a convoy of buses carrying 12,000 children were fired upon by Militia artillery. They were attempting to cut off Republic supply lines, but were not informed of the civilians trying to escape the combat area. 1,075 children were killed in the incident. The Republic condoned the incident while Florida attempted to blame the Republic. Both sides were now forced to call a ceasefire, and in the Truce of Carrabelle, the Appalachicola River became the new frontier between Republic-held Florida, and Florida Proper.
Republic armies now entered the fight between the League and Atlanta, sending reinforcements to help hold the Flint waterway, Four Republic armies, 1st Army coming off their recent garrison of Montgomery, 2nd Army, moved to the Georgia line from Huntsville, 3rd Army, coming from Anniston to Lanett, and 5th Army, newly formed and stationed in Eufaula. The Northern Group moved first, advancing into Carrolton, Rome, and Ringgold against resistance from the Atlanta Militia and the North Georgia Volunteers (NGV). The Battle of Rome became the costliest battle in the period, due to the enormous collateral damage inflicted on the city infrastructure by both sides. Group Center advanced from Columbus to take Warner Robbins, Macon, Perry, and Byron. Because of the initial advance of Group North, there was little resistance from the natives, and in fact, Macon and Perry surrendered to them before the armies could enter. Nevertheless, two regiments were sent in to hold the cities and provide security. Group South advanced from Eufaula into Georgetown, Albany, Americus, Plains, and Valdosta. This was the Group responsible for driving the Florida Militia from Lake Seminole. Group South pushed on toward Savannah, where they came into contact with advance scouts from Group Center. By 10th April, Augusta had surrendered, Tallulah Falls had capitulated and Milledgeville was under occupation, thus leaving Atlanta and Savannah as the two remaining bastions of old, independent Georgia. Both cities would remain under seige for at least a year and a half while the rest of former Georgia was reorganized on the same guidelines as Alabama had been.
Even as Georgia was effectively reduced to obedience, Florida remained a major obstacle. Florida Militia raids into the southeasternmost Georgia counties kept the resistance alive even while the rest of Georgia accepted their defeat. Michael judged the time right for a full invasion of Florida. Hence, Group South was spilt into 6 divisions. Two were launched on northern Florida along the old I-10 highway corridor, two divisions were sent to subdue the Georgia counties "in rebellion" against the peace talks, and the remaining two, joined now by Group Center, intensified their siege of Savannah. The West Florida regiments were sent across the Appalachicola River to seize Tallahassee and secure northern Florida. However, the city residents were prepared for the invasion and fought against Republic forces in a three-day battle known as the Tallahassee Campaign. Ultimately, with the loss of 42,000 of their own best, the city surrendered. Only one other major battle in the Conquest of Florida would take place, when Miami withstood a seige by Republic forces for 19 days before finally being forced to attempt a breakout, which ended in slaughter. The 'Florida Blitzkreig' made relatively quick work of that former state.
In the final days of the Georgia/Florida conquest wars. speculation arose on how the new territories would be integrated into the republic. Once again, a plebescite was held to determine the future course of the Republic. The end result was the formation of a Royal Parliament, and the establishment of the Republic of Treksylvania-the name coming from the fact that 'Star Trek' influenced the new regime, and even formed the basis of the religio-philosophy of Trekism. Michael was crowned king as Michael I. An unexpected bonus was further added when North and South Carolina petitioned to join the new state. As Trek armies (as they came to be called) continued to overrun what remained of Georgia (outside Atlanta and Savannah) additional forces were sent to both Carolinas to serve as garrisons and added security. One minor skirmish did occur near King's Mountain in which a Trek force of 20,000 fought against Mountaineers numbering in the 19,500. Reparations were paid to the Carolinians involved and fresh Trek troops were sent in to apprehend the fugitive Trekkers.
The final Assault on Atlanta was launched on 12th May with the Chattahoochee League making the first sortie into the Atlanta municipal zone. The Militia threw the League forces back with heavy losses, and established themselves on the south bank of the Chattahoochee River. Later that night, a second sortie by League forces managed to establish a bridgehead on the north bank, but then came under heavy bombardment. While the Militia were busy beating back the League, they had neglected the western approaches. Trek forces now entered Atlanta from the west, defeated a garrison force in the north of Atlanta, then swarmed in from the north as well as the west. Militia forces now found themselves trapped between League armies in the south, and Trek forces in the north and west. They made a breakthrough in the east, near McDonough, then regrouped at Stone Mountain and pushed back into Atlanta. The 18-day adventure brought more bloodshed than all the battles thus far fought.
Just as the Militia commanders believed that a victory was now assured, Trek forces closed the eastern approaches. Now the Militia was trapped inside the city with League and Trek armies closing in. In a murderous 28-hour fight to the death, nearly the entire Militia was wiped out. The remnants, fit only for "mall security", were rounded up and sent to Carrollton. In the meantime, Trek forces were also closing in on Savannah, but here the situation ended differently. Savannah residents, hearing of the bloody battle in Atlanta, made the decision to surrender and avoid the same fate. Thus on 23rd May, Savannah signed the Articles of Capitulation which now brought the last vestiges of independent Georgia under Republic rule.
On 27th May, a group of leading politicians from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Carolina (as the reunified area encompassing former North and South Carolina was renamed) met in Valdosta (now renamed Vald) to ratify the Charter of Inclusion and the newly drafted Constitution of the new Republic of Treksylvania. Among the observers attending the treaty-signing was the future Dual Monarchy partner state of Inuyashia. As part of the treaty-signing, a separate Territory Protocol was signed by the constituent states (organized now as districts). In the Protocol, Florida (now Florid) surrendered territory in the 'panhandle' area to Alabama, giving it more coastal real-estate. Georgia (Georgiaris) surrendered the 'arrowland' of Rabun to 'Carolis' and received the Florid lands running from Tallahassee to St Augustine, an area roughly surrounding the I-10 corridor. In the final analysis, the ultimate loser in territory was Florid, having been shorn of the panhandle and I-10 corridor lands and receiving no compensation. Carolis was the ultimate benefactor in the Protocol, having gained a piece of Georgia and expanding the total land area thanks to the reunification.
The city of Atlanta had been using water drawn from nearby Lake Lanier for many years, under the supervision of the US Corps of Engineers. With the collapse of the United States following World War III, the Corps was disbanded, leaving Atlanta free to blockade the river. Many cities along the river protested, and Columbus petitioned the Republic for assistance in mediating the matter. Atlanta showed a willingness to discuss the Water Crisis, but then failed to show up for the meeting. Columbus and many other cities formed an Armed League to resist Atlanta's water-hoarding but soon faced a new problem when Florida protested after water levels began dropping. Michael now had the pretext he needed. He signed the West Point Protocol with the river cities of the Chattahoochee League, pledging military assistance. At the same time, he sent a strong warning to Florida urging them to refrain from involvement. Florida rejected the warning and began forming a militia force to march to the point where the Chattahoochee-Appalachicola-Flint waterways converged. Michael viewed this as an act of aggression and called for Republic forces to begin to sweep into the 'panhandle' area. Meanwhile, the League launched an offensive into central Georgia with the aim of securing the Upper Flint waterway. They met with partial success, being forced to engage Atlanta militia units which had also been sent to secure the waterway.
Three Republic armies swept into the Florida panhandle, taking Pensacola, Fort Walton, Panama City and Appalachicola. by the end of the week. Michael announced that the measure was undertaken to counter Florida's aggressive run across the border. Florida objected to the occupation of their western counties by the Republic, and seven militia forces were sent against them. The Battle of East Point (small community between Appalachicola and Carrabelle) became the bloodiest battle in the Trek Wars of Unification. 2,750,000 Republic forces met 1,955,000 Militia forces in a two-day slaughter which was the background to a tragic incident at the Long Bridge in which a convoy of buses carrying 12,000 children were fired upon by Militia artillery. They were attempting to cut off Republic supply lines, but were not informed of the civilians trying to escape the combat area. 1,075 children were killed in the incident. The Republic condoned the incident while Florida attempted to blame the Republic. Both sides were now forced to call a ceasefire, and in the Truce of Carrabelle, the Appalachicola River became the new frontier between Republic-held Florida, and Florida Proper.
Republic armies now entered the fight between the League and Atlanta, sending reinforcements to help hold the Flint waterway, Four Republic armies, 1st Army coming off their recent garrison of Montgomery, 2nd Army, moved to the Georgia line from Huntsville, 3rd Army, coming from Anniston to Lanett, and 5th Army, newly formed and stationed in Eufaula. The Northern Group moved first, advancing into Carrolton, Rome, and Ringgold against resistance from the Atlanta Militia and the North Georgia Volunteers (NGV). The Battle of Rome became the costliest battle in the period, due to the enormous collateral damage inflicted on the city infrastructure by both sides. Group Center advanced from Columbus to take Warner Robbins, Macon, Perry, and Byron. Because of the initial advance of Group North, there was little resistance from the natives, and in fact, Macon and Perry surrendered to them before the armies could enter. Nevertheless, two regiments were sent in to hold the cities and provide security. Group South advanced from Eufaula into Georgetown, Albany, Americus, Plains, and Valdosta. This was the Group responsible for driving the Florida Militia from Lake Seminole. Group South pushed on toward Savannah, where they came into contact with advance scouts from Group Center. By 10th April, Augusta had surrendered, Tallulah Falls had capitulated and Milledgeville was under occupation, thus leaving Atlanta and Savannah as the two remaining bastions of old, independent Georgia. Both cities would remain under seige for at least a year and a half while the rest of former Georgia was reorganized on the same guidelines as Alabama had been.
Even as Georgia was effectively reduced to obedience, Florida remained a major obstacle. Florida Militia raids into the southeasternmost Georgia counties kept the resistance alive even while the rest of Georgia accepted their defeat. Michael judged the time right for a full invasion of Florida. Hence, Group South was spilt into 6 divisions. Two were launched on northern Florida along the old I-10 highway corridor, two divisions were sent to subdue the Georgia counties "in rebellion" against the peace talks, and the remaining two, joined now by Group Center, intensified their siege of Savannah. The West Florida regiments were sent across the Appalachicola River to seize Tallahassee and secure northern Florida. However, the city residents were prepared for the invasion and fought against Republic forces in a three-day battle known as the Tallahassee Campaign. Ultimately, with the loss of 42,000 of their own best, the city surrendered. Only one other major battle in the Conquest of Florida would take place, when Miami withstood a seige by Republic forces for 19 days before finally being forced to attempt a breakout, which ended in slaughter. The 'Florida Blitzkreig' made relatively quick work of that former state.
In the final days of the Georgia/Florida conquest wars. speculation arose on how the new territories would be integrated into the republic. Once again, a plebescite was held to determine the future course of the Republic. The end result was the formation of a Royal Parliament, and the establishment of the Republic of Treksylvania-the name coming from the fact that 'Star Trek' influenced the new regime, and even formed the basis of the religio-philosophy of Trekism. Michael was crowned king as Michael I. An unexpected bonus was further added when North and South Carolina petitioned to join the new state. As Trek armies (as they came to be called) continued to overrun what remained of Georgia (outside Atlanta and Savannah) additional forces were sent to both Carolinas to serve as garrisons and added security. One minor skirmish did occur near King's Mountain in which a Trek force of 20,000 fought against Mountaineers numbering in the 19,500. Reparations were paid to the Carolinians involved and fresh Trek troops were sent in to apprehend the fugitive Trekkers.
The final Assault on Atlanta was launched on 12th May with the Chattahoochee League making the first sortie into the Atlanta municipal zone. The Militia threw the League forces back with heavy losses, and established themselves on the south bank of the Chattahoochee River. Later that night, a second sortie by League forces managed to establish a bridgehead on the north bank, but then came under heavy bombardment. While the Militia were busy beating back the League, they had neglected the western approaches. Trek forces now entered Atlanta from the west, defeated a garrison force in the north of Atlanta, then swarmed in from the north as well as the west. Militia forces now found themselves trapped between League armies in the south, and Trek forces in the north and west. They made a breakthrough in the east, near McDonough, then regrouped at Stone Mountain and pushed back into Atlanta. The 18-day adventure brought more bloodshed than all the battles thus far fought.
Just as the Militia commanders believed that a victory was now assured, Trek forces closed the eastern approaches. Now the Militia was trapped inside the city with League and Trek armies closing in. In a murderous 28-hour fight to the death, nearly the entire Militia was wiped out. The remnants, fit only for "mall security", were rounded up and sent to Carrollton. In the meantime, Trek forces were also closing in on Savannah, but here the situation ended differently. Savannah residents, hearing of the bloody battle in Atlanta, made the decision to surrender and avoid the same fate. Thus on 23rd May, Savannah signed the Articles of Capitulation which now brought the last vestiges of independent Georgia under Republic rule.
On 27th May, a group of leading politicians from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Carolina (as the reunified area encompassing former North and South Carolina was renamed) met in Valdosta (now renamed Vald) to ratify the Charter of Inclusion and the newly drafted Constitution of the new Republic of Treksylvania. Among the observers attending the treaty-signing was the future Dual Monarchy partner state of Inuyashia. As part of the treaty-signing, a separate Territory Protocol was signed by the constituent states (organized now as districts). In the Protocol, Florida (now Florid) surrendered territory in the 'panhandle' area to Alabama, giving it more coastal real-estate. Georgia (Georgiaris) surrendered the 'arrowland' of Rabun to 'Carolis' and received the Florid lands running from Tallahassee to St Augustine, an area roughly surrounding the I-10 corridor. In the final analysis, the ultimate loser in territory was Florid, having been shorn of the panhandle and I-10 corridor lands and receiving no compensation. Carolis was the ultimate benefactor in the Protocol, having gained a piece of Georgia and expanding the total land area thanks to the reunification.
Tennessee and the First Island Conquest
There followed another period of peace in which the new Republic of Treksylvania resolved the internal crisis brought on by the recent annexations of Georgia and Florida. The economy was reorganized to allow for greater manufacturing and industrial growth while still retaining the base agriculture which sustained the new state. Religious issues were resolved by the welcoming of Jewish and Islamic religious leaders into the Republic, the official adoption of 'Trekism' as the state religion (which proved all the more easy due to the lack of a deity, making Trekism easily compatible with the established religions such as Christianity), and a Royal Edict proclaiming religious toleration. Minorities were also given greater freedom, ending the fear many Latinomericans and Afromericans had of persecution by the Euromerican majority. But for Michael I, the expansionist phase had not ended, just taken a temporary pause. Already, two new areas were being eyed for conquest.
The island state of Cuba had managed to survive World War III thanks mostly to its isolated, neutralist position. Despite being only 90 miles from the south Florida coast, Cuba was untouched (except for the brief attempt by the Confederation of Dixie to conquer it). However, the Castro 'dynasty' which had ruled Cuba since the 1950s, died out when Raul Castro passed away without a successor. The 1980s and 1990s had seen a growing awareness by the youth of Cuba of the possibilities of democracy. With the end of the Castro regime, and final collapse of the pre-WWIII Caribbean Commonwealth, Cuba fell into disorder. The opportunity arose for intervention, which Michael I took full advantage of. Further incentive came with the building of the first Trek Navy, which the king was eager to test in battle. Michael I commanded a fort to be built not far from Miami which would contain a hidden subterranean harbor for the fleets to be constructed. On 4th July, coinciding with the celebration of the birth of the former United States, four fleets made their maiden voyage from Miami to Tampa to Panama City to Mobile. The king even had his own flagship, the RNS Panther, participate. 3 days later, the 1st Fleet, 2nd Fleet, 1st Task Force, and 3rd Fleet were made ready to begin the naval phase of what became known as Operation Havana. Marines, infantry, and the newly created Keshik tanks were readied at the new fort, Fort Sisko.
The RNS Panther fired the first shots of Operation Havana (according to legend, Michael I fired the first shot himself) with a bombardment of coastal batteries on the western tip of the island. Naval engagements soon followed in which the Cuban navy, totalling 175 ships, was routed by a fleet of 230 ships with 90 Cuban ships sunk to only 18 Trek ships sunk. 2nd Fleet manuevered to position near Guantanamo Bay and began bombarding the coastal defenses of the naval base which Cuba had seized following the collapse of the United States. Amphibious operations were now ordered by Michael I to cover Guantanamo, and the western tip, establishing beachheads. Airstrikes using old US jet fighters and bombers (soon to be incorporated into the Trek AirForce) assured the success of the landing operations. By the end of July, 5th and 6th armies, 2nd Artillery, and 1st Armoured divisions were entrenched, while 1st Marine and 3rd Artillery moved to cut off escape from Havana from the west. The rest of the armies advanced from the east. The Cuban military could only muster a force of 345,000 troops to face a larger force of 550,000 with no artillery or air support. In a 4-hour battle, 47,000 Cubans were captured and 23,000 were killed. The Trek losses amounted to 6,000 killed. Cuban HomeGuard units were called up, a leftover from the Communist era. A 2-hour engagement insued in which the HomeGuard force was annihilated, and Havana captured. On 1st August, the provisional government signed the Articles of Surrender. Michael I granted amnesty to the POWs captured during the operation, granted freedom of taxation to the families of the former POWs, and even paid reparations to the civilians whose homes had been damaged or destroyed in the course of the campaign. These acts of generosity were well-received by the Cuban people, and helped forge a bond that would remain unbroken to this day.
Even before the Cuban campaign was completed, Michael I had set his sights on Tennessee. The former state had fallen on difficult times as the various city-republics struggled with one another for dominance. It was feared that the civil disorder would draw in outside intervention. North Alabama and north Georgia called for immediate pacification of the unruly lands. Michael I was unable to send additional forces into Tennessee while the Cuban operation was still ongoing. Once the Treaty of Havana was signed, however, forces were available. Thus, Michael I resolved to bring Tennessee into the Republic.
On 12th August, 5th Army, 6th Army and 3rd Artillery, just returned from the Cuban campaign, was sent against Chattanooga, joined by 1st Georgia Militia units. 2 days of seige and assault finally brought the surrender of the city. 1st Alabama Militia moved from Huntsville to Chattanooga, where they joined 7th Army and 2nd Amoured and advanced on Nashville. 5th and 6th Armies moved northeast and captured Knoxville with little resistance. Nashville was placed under seige and the seige was maintained for up to three months. The residents of Nashville, down to almost nothing, finally capitulated on 29th October. Tennessee was occupied briefly, and the local government reorganized as a district. While most Tennesseans were ready enough to accept the new regime, there were those who sought to overthrow the local regime and restore independence.
The Republic would undergo another change when the Royal Parliament began a series of reforms. Firstly, the abolition of political parties removed the threat of division within the political structure. In place of political parties, a system resembling the Houses of Parliament in Britain was instituted. Universal suffrage was made Royal Law. This made it possible for the second great change, the proclamation of the Kingdom of Treksylvania. Michael I was confirmed as king, and now sought to build a new capital befitting the new kingdom. There was, however, one problem: the name chosen for the new capital was already used by a city in southeastern Alabama. Talks with the local city officials finally resolved the name crisis. The town of Enterprise agreed to change their name to Sulu so that the new capital could then receive the Enterprise name.
The Kingdom would face its first trial with the First Tennessee Revolt. Workers and students in Knoxville and Nashville rose up against the Royal governor, drove him out, and defeated the Royal Volunteers-a group of Militia soldiers formed by the governor. Soon, rebellion broke out in Chattanooga, Sevierville, and Johnston. Alarm spread in north Alabama and north Georgia as the rebellions spread across Tennessee. Michael I ordered 1st Alabama and 1st Georgia Militia forces to Chattanooga, while 5th Army and 3rd Armoured moved on Nashville. 200 rebels were captured and the rest were scattered in an hour and 1/2 of fighting. In Nashville, all but 23 of the rebels were captured after a 47-minute street battle. Michael I had the rebels imprisoned, but showed generosity toward the citizens of both cities. This brought an end to the First Revolt, as Sevierville and Johnston surrendered the rebels. The governor was restored and Tennessee (now Tenness) was integrated further in the kingdom.
The island state of Cuba had managed to survive World War III thanks mostly to its isolated, neutralist position. Despite being only 90 miles from the south Florida coast, Cuba was untouched (except for the brief attempt by the Confederation of Dixie to conquer it). However, the Castro 'dynasty' which had ruled Cuba since the 1950s, died out when Raul Castro passed away without a successor. The 1980s and 1990s had seen a growing awareness by the youth of Cuba of the possibilities of democracy. With the end of the Castro regime, and final collapse of the pre-WWIII Caribbean Commonwealth, Cuba fell into disorder. The opportunity arose for intervention, which Michael I took full advantage of. Further incentive came with the building of the first Trek Navy, which the king was eager to test in battle. Michael I commanded a fort to be built not far from Miami which would contain a hidden subterranean harbor for the fleets to be constructed. On 4th July, coinciding with the celebration of the birth of the former United States, four fleets made their maiden voyage from Miami to Tampa to Panama City to Mobile. The king even had his own flagship, the RNS Panther, participate. 3 days later, the 1st Fleet, 2nd Fleet, 1st Task Force, and 3rd Fleet were made ready to begin the naval phase of what became known as Operation Havana. Marines, infantry, and the newly created Keshik tanks were readied at the new fort, Fort Sisko.
The RNS Panther fired the first shots of Operation Havana (according to legend, Michael I fired the first shot himself) with a bombardment of coastal batteries on the western tip of the island. Naval engagements soon followed in which the Cuban navy, totalling 175 ships, was routed by a fleet of 230 ships with 90 Cuban ships sunk to only 18 Trek ships sunk. 2nd Fleet manuevered to position near Guantanamo Bay and began bombarding the coastal defenses of the naval base which Cuba had seized following the collapse of the United States. Amphibious operations were now ordered by Michael I to cover Guantanamo, and the western tip, establishing beachheads. Airstrikes using old US jet fighters and bombers (soon to be incorporated into the Trek AirForce) assured the success of the landing operations. By the end of July, 5th and 6th armies, 2nd Artillery, and 1st Armoured divisions were entrenched, while 1st Marine and 3rd Artillery moved to cut off escape from Havana from the west. The rest of the armies advanced from the east. The Cuban military could only muster a force of 345,000 troops to face a larger force of 550,000 with no artillery or air support. In a 4-hour battle, 47,000 Cubans were captured and 23,000 were killed. The Trek losses amounted to 6,000 killed. Cuban HomeGuard units were called up, a leftover from the Communist era. A 2-hour engagement insued in which the HomeGuard force was annihilated, and Havana captured. On 1st August, the provisional government signed the Articles of Surrender. Michael I granted amnesty to the POWs captured during the operation, granted freedom of taxation to the families of the former POWs, and even paid reparations to the civilians whose homes had been damaged or destroyed in the course of the campaign. These acts of generosity were well-received by the Cuban people, and helped forge a bond that would remain unbroken to this day.
Even before the Cuban campaign was completed, Michael I had set his sights on Tennessee. The former state had fallen on difficult times as the various city-republics struggled with one another for dominance. It was feared that the civil disorder would draw in outside intervention. North Alabama and north Georgia called for immediate pacification of the unruly lands. Michael I was unable to send additional forces into Tennessee while the Cuban operation was still ongoing. Once the Treaty of Havana was signed, however, forces were available. Thus, Michael I resolved to bring Tennessee into the Republic.
On 12th August, 5th Army, 6th Army and 3rd Artillery, just returned from the Cuban campaign, was sent against Chattanooga, joined by 1st Georgia Militia units. 2 days of seige and assault finally brought the surrender of the city. 1st Alabama Militia moved from Huntsville to Chattanooga, where they joined 7th Army and 2nd Amoured and advanced on Nashville. 5th and 6th Armies moved northeast and captured Knoxville with little resistance. Nashville was placed under seige and the seige was maintained for up to three months. The residents of Nashville, down to almost nothing, finally capitulated on 29th October. Tennessee was occupied briefly, and the local government reorganized as a district. While most Tennesseans were ready enough to accept the new regime, there were those who sought to overthrow the local regime and restore independence.
The Republic would undergo another change when the Royal Parliament began a series of reforms. Firstly, the abolition of political parties removed the threat of division within the political structure. In place of political parties, a system resembling the Houses of Parliament in Britain was instituted. Universal suffrage was made Royal Law. This made it possible for the second great change, the proclamation of the Kingdom of Treksylvania. Michael I was confirmed as king, and now sought to build a new capital befitting the new kingdom. There was, however, one problem: the name chosen for the new capital was already used by a city in southeastern Alabama. Talks with the local city officials finally resolved the name crisis. The town of Enterprise agreed to change their name to Sulu so that the new capital could then receive the Enterprise name.
The Kingdom would face its first trial with the First Tennessee Revolt. Workers and students in Knoxville and Nashville rose up against the Royal governor, drove him out, and defeated the Royal Volunteers-a group of Militia soldiers formed by the governor. Soon, rebellion broke out in Chattanooga, Sevierville, and Johnston. Alarm spread in north Alabama and north Georgia as the rebellions spread across Tennessee. Michael I ordered 1st Alabama and 1st Georgia Militia forces to Chattanooga, while 5th Army and 3rd Armoured moved on Nashville. 200 rebels were captured and the rest were scattered in an hour and 1/2 of fighting. In Nashville, all but 23 of the rebels were captured after a 47-minute street battle. Michael I had the rebels imprisoned, but showed generosity toward the citizens of both cities. This brought an end to the First Revolt, as Sevierville and Johnston surrendered the rebels. The governor was restored and Tennessee (now Tenness) was integrated further in the kingdom.
Mississippi and the Second Tennessee Revolt
With the resolution of the Tennessee Revolt, there was now one final conquest to be made. It was deemed vital that the Mississippi River valley be secure for the kingdom. Trade ran up and down the river and would further link the new kingdom to the rest of the world. Michael I had also heard rumors that another nation, in the Southwest, was also looking to seize the river valley. He therefore organized the 7th, 8th, and 9th armies for the task of conquering and securing the river valley.
Operation Swamp Fox began when the armies overran the border, seizing Columbus, Natchez, and Meridian in the first strike. Mississippi Militia took up defensive positions in Jackson, Greenwood, Yazoo City, and Vicksburg, being content to simply allow the Royal forces to advance deeper into the former state before making their counteroffensive. Through his spies, Michael I learned of the planned ambushes and ordered artillery and airstrikes on the defensive lines. Nearly 780,000 were killed in the pre-assault bombardment, before the advance was sped up. Jackson and Greenwood fell within 4 days, but the remnants of the Militia, along with some civilians who had grabbed small arms retreated to Vicksburg to make their last stand. As Royal armies closed in on Yazoo City, a sudden severe thunderstorm forced the advance to halt. A devastating tornado ravaged the town, killing 57 people and leaving 259 without homes. The new objective of the armies now changed to rescue and recovery. 8th Army entered the devastated Yazoo City and began recovery operations, assisting the locals in locating loved ones and assessing damage. Word spread back to Vicksburg of what had happened, and many of the civilians threw down their arms and pledged to assist in the recovery efforts. 2 days later, the commander of the Militia signaled a desire to discuss terms. Thus it was that the last war of conquest was ended not by man, but by nature. The Treaty of Vicksburg ended Operation Swamp Fox with the capitulation of Mississippi and complete access to the river, to which the kingdom reciprocated with $4.5 million in aid to help Yazoo residents.
The time for peace was necessary, for in the last days of Operation Swamp Fox, Tennessee once again rose up in revolt. This time the center of revolt was in Knoxville, but Memphis and Bristol also rose in revolt. Many disgruntled Mississippians also joined in the uprising. The armies were still bogged down in the river valley, and there were insufficient forces available. This was another reason the armies changed objectives after the Yazoo tornado. Michael I hoped to win the populace over, and thus remove support to the rebels. He achieved his aim with the Treaty of Vicksburg. Now the armies were free to end the rebellion, assisted by the returning armies from Cuba. Memphis was put under seige, while Nashville was occupied to prevent the spread of rebellion there. As the Royal armies advanced eastward, however, the rebels committed an act which finally convinced king and Parliament of the need for extreme measures. Rebel bands crossed into Carolis and attacked the town of Ashville, killing 397 in cold-blood. Michael I reluctantly gave the order to raze Bristol to the ground in retaliation. He also commanded the armies to eliminate the rebels responsible for the attack. In a 15-hour engagement in the Cumberland Gap, 975 rebels withstood a force of 230,000 Royal soldiers before reinforcements coming from another direction trapped the rebels (similar to the end result of the Battle of Thermopylae). The razing of Bristol finally ended forever the dream of the Tennesseans winning independence. Memphis surrendered, and many of the rebels were rounded up and turned over to Royal authorities. The people of Tennessee had had enough of fighting, and simply wished to get on with their lives.
The Treaty of Sevierville pledged to find new homes for the former residents of Bristol, pledged $7.5 million in aid, and granted full pardons to those among the rebels who had committed minor offenses (or in some cases, none at all). However, Tennessee would have to pay for the rebellions with the loss of territory. The western counties, including Memphis, were stripped from the former state and given to Mississippi (Missip). This now left the former state, now the district of Tenness, with only the central and eastern regions.
Operation Swamp Fox began when the armies overran the border, seizing Columbus, Natchez, and Meridian in the first strike. Mississippi Militia took up defensive positions in Jackson, Greenwood, Yazoo City, and Vicksburg, being content to simply allow the Royal forces to advance deeper into the former state before making their counteroffensive. Through his spies, Michael I learned of the planned ambushes and ordered artillery and airstrikes on the defensive lines. Nearly 780,000 were killed in the pre-assault bombardment, before the advance was sped up. Jackson and Greenwood fell within 4 days, but the remnants of the Militia, along with some civilians who had grabbed small arms retreated to Vicksburg to make their last stand. As Royal armies closed in on Yazoo City, a sudden severe thunderstorm forced the advance to halt. A devastating tornado ravaged the town, killing 57 people and leaving 259 without homes. The new objective of the armies now changed to rescue and recovery. 8th Army entered the devastated Yazoo City and began recovery operations, assisting the locals in locating loved ones and assessing damage. Word spread back to Vicksburg of what had happened, and many of the civilians threw down their arms and pledged to assist in the recovery efforts. 2 days later, the commander of the Militia signaled a desire to discuss terms. Thus it was that the last war of conquest was ended not by man, but by nature. The Treaty of Vicksburg ended Operation Swamp Fox with the capitulation of Mississippi and complete access to the river, to which the kingdom reciprocated with $4.5 million in aid to help Yazoo residents.
The time for peace was necessary, for in the last days of Operation Swamp Fox, Tennessee once again rose up in revolt. This time the center of revolt was in Knoxville, but Memphis and Bristol also rose in revolt. Many disgruntled Mississippians also joined in the uprising. The armies were still bogged down in the river valley, and there were insufficient forces available. This was another reason the armies changed objectives after the Yazoo tornado. Michael I hoped to win the populace over, and thus remove support to the rebels. He achieved his aim with the Treaty of Vicksburg. Now the armies were free to end the rebellion, assisted by the returning armies from Cuba. Memphis was put under seige, while Nashville was occupied to prevent the spread of rebellion there. As the Royal armies advanced eastward, however, the rebels committed an act which finally convinced king and Parliament of the need for extreme measures. Rebel bands crossed into Carolis and attacked the town of Ashville, killing 397 in cold-blood. Michael I reluctantly gave the order to raze Bristol to the ground in retaliation. He also commanded the armies to eliminate the rebels responsible for the attack. In a 15-hour engagement in the Cumberland Gap, 975 rebels withstood a force of 230,000 Royal soldiers before reinforcements coming from another direction trapped the rebels (similar to the end result of the Battle of Thermopylae). The razing of Bristol finally ended forever the dream of the Tennesseans winning independence. Memphis surrendered, and many of the rebels were rounded up and turned over to Royal authorities. The people of Tennessee had had enough of fighting, and simply wished to get on with their lives.
The Treaty of Sevierville pledged to find new homes for the former residents of Bristol, pledged $7.5 million in aid, and granted full pardons to those among the rebels who had committed minor offenses (or in some cases, none at all). However, Tennessee would have to pay for the rebellions with the loss of territory. The western counties, including Memphis, were stripped from the former state and given to Mississippi (Missip). This now left the former state, now the district of Tenness, with only the central and eastern regions.
The End of the Trek Campaigns
The end of the Second Tennessee Revolt came at a critical time. Changes were taking place in the new capital, Enterprise, as the last vestiges of Republic government were abolished, and the Kingdom now became the Empire. Preliminary contacts with the Empire of Inuyashia had already paved the way to future partnership in a Dual Monarchy (despite one tense moment when Trek Royal armies intent on conquering old Kentucky came up against an Otaku force, leading to a standoff which threatened to spark war). A bigger threat came from Levant Al-Asad, which required the new Imperial armies to campaign to defend the empire. This put a definite end to the Wars of Conquest, as other territories were acquired by petition or negotiation. The only exceptions were in the later conquests of Arkansas and Louisiana, which did require brief campaigns. The establishment of the first Lunar colonies, and the building of the first space station would launch the Wars of Conquest into space, but again, most conquests were done by negotiation or petition. While there was indeed bloodshed, the quality of life was greatly improved as a centralized economy was restored to the former states of the Deep South. Central government was also restored to the area after a period of internal chaos. Finally, in the person of now-Emperor Michael I, a leader who was both tempered by experience and of an open mind, a figure people could draw inspiration and strength from had emerged to lead the Deep South into a new era.